I would value perspective - experiences with different hurricane protection choices for windows and doors. I am considering several different options. One of these is a wind abatement fabric to enclose the decks and protect against window breakage. Does anyone have experience (good or bad) with this approach or other approaches such as roll-down shutters, accordian shutters, panels, etc.?
Wind Protection
- Thread starter jackmills1946
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I like the clear, lexan shutters because they're tough as nails, see through, and light weight so they're easy to install, remove and store.
People installed those porch tarps down on old 98 in 2005, I remember driving past after a storm and seeing a ton of them ripped to shreds on the upper floors. Based on that I wouldn't recommend them either.
I don't have personal experience with the fabric, but my understanding is that it is Miami Dade county rated. The condos in Seagrove above Flip Flops have the fabric if you want to check with the owners there.
We have a combination of real working shutters, accordion and lexan panels on our houses. If you have a 2nd or 3rd story that doesn't have easy access, the accordion work well. You can lean out the window to close and lock them. We have lexan panels for the 1st floor windows and a few balcony windows. Although a lot easier than plywood, they do require storage and installation. Unlike plywood, it is clear and allows sunlight, so you can keep them installed for a period of time without feeling like you're in a cave. The real working shutters work great for the windows in the front of the house that needed dressing up anyway. They were expensive but are easy to open and close and look great.
If I had it to do over again, I would have used more accordion shutters instead of lexan, even on the first floor. Accordion was more expensive which entered into our original decision. With accordion, there's no storage required and they don't require carrying to put them up. Accordion are a lot faster to close and open so you don't need as much time to close up the house. The accordion are more noticeable on the house while opened, than the hardware for the lexan panels, but we found that it kind of blends in to the house more than we thought.
We didn't entertain doing rollup after finding out the cost and hearing about mechanical issues.
Don't forget your garage! Our insurance company pointed out that the garage door with windows was a problem. Although the door itself was wind rated, the windows weren't impact rated. We are now the proud owners of a new wind and load rated, very heavy door, which replaced our perfectly good old door.
We have a combination of real working shutters, accordion and lexan panels on our houses. If you have a 2nd or 3rd story that doesn't have easy access, the accordion work well. You can lean out the window to close and lock them. We have lexan panels for the 1st floor windows and a few balcony windows. Although a lot easier than plywood, they do require storage and installation. Unlike plywood, it is clear and allows sunlight, so you can keep them installed for a period of time without feeling like you're in a cave. The real working shutters work great for the windows in the front of the house that needed dressing up anyway. They were expensive but are easy to open and close and look great.
If I had it to do over again, I would have used more accordion shutters instead of lexan, even on the first floor. Accordion was more expensive which entered into our original decision. With accordion, there's no storage required and they don't require carrying to put them up. Accordion are a lot faster to close and open so you don't need as much time to close up the house. The accordion are more noticeable on the house while opened, than the hardware for the lexan panels, but we found that it kind of blends in to the house more than we thought.
We didn't entertain doing rollup after finding out the cost and hearing about mechanical issues.
Don't forget your garage! Our insurance company pointed out that the garage door with windows was a problem. Although the door itself was wind rated, the windows weren't impact rated. We are now the proud owners of a new wind and load rated, very heavy door, which replaced our perfectly good old door.
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Those were the ones I was thinking of, I don't know that I'd spend the cost on enclosing a porch with them.
Do you have them on windows? I can't see how a fabric would keep glass from being broken.
That's where the Kevlar comes in. ;-)
pantyhose are a daunting barrier